<!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <html><head><style type="text/css"></style><title>RE: Spruce Chase/New Sitka supplier</title></head><body> <div>Jeannie,</div> <div><br></div> <div>Rick Wheeler's email address is;</div> <div><br></div> <div>rick@roselandpiano.com</div> <div><br></div> <div>mailto:rick@roselandpiano.com</div> <div><br></div> <div>http://www.roselandpiano.com</div> <div><br></div> <div>Thanks for bringing this info to our attention Dale.</div> <div><br></div> <blockquote type="cite" cite> <blockquote> In Dec. I  entered a posting on the topic of looking for a Sitka spruce /soundboard panel source. As I really like working with Sitka and have had excellent tonal results I was anxious to find either raw wood or ready to work panels. Rick Wheeler of Roseland Piano company (the guy who makes new key sets),</blockquote> </blockquote> <div><br></div> <div>I met Rick at Reno and inspected his keysets. They were very well made. He also makes a custom style of black key with a pin-line of maple inserted so as to follow the contour of the black key top. A very pretty touch for that special instrument.</div> <div><br></div> <div>An image of Ricks custom black keys can be found at;</div> <div><br></div> <div>http://www.roselandpiano.com/keytour/pages/k2.htm</div> <div><br></div> <div>And they look even better in real life.</div> <div><br></div> <div>Rick will certainly be on my short list of possible key makers for our coming 230 cm piano.</div> <div><br></div> <blockquote type="cite" cite> <blockquote>and I have talked extensively about finding a reliable source of wood and or producing panels ourselves.</blockquote> <blockquote> As it turns out those conversations have motivated Rick ,who has the knowledge ,expertise and facility to produce boards, to commit to a new Premium sound board making enterprise.</blockquote> <blockquote>     He has been working with the wood broker for the former Stein & Volk /Sound Woods soundboard panel supplier in McCall Idaho. The Wood broker  has been able to locate adequate sources of Sitka & Engelman Spruce as well as a Sitka cross breed.</blockquote> <blockquote>   Production will start soon.  Rick says the quality of the premium Sitka will knock your eyes out. My previous experience with panels from the now defunct Sound Woods Co.  were by far the finest example of Sitka boards I have ever witnessed.</blockquote> <blockquote>   Ricks goal is to provide premium quality boards to independent technicians. He is currently working on perfecting his tongue and groove assembly techniques for production as opposed to the standard butt joint configuration. This joinery technique increase the strength and durability of the panels and resists compression swelling around the glue joints which as  you know is where most of the cell damage occurs in soundboards exposed to excess humidity over time. Rick is also a piano tech./ rebuilder himself and knows what the guys in the trade want. What a relief.</blockquote> <blockquote>   It's always great for our business to have new suppliers including soundboard suppliers as there aren't that many of them.</blockquote> <blockquote>  If any are interested in placing an order Call Rick at 1-503-654-1888 in Milwaukee ,Oregon.</blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote>     Best----Dale Erwin</blockquote> </blockquote> <div><br></div> <div>Ron O.</div> <div>-- <br> Overs Pianos<br> Sydney Australia<br> ________________________<br> <br> Web site: http://www.overspianos.com.au<br> Email:     mailto:ron@overspianos.com.au<br> ________________________</div> </body> </html>